The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-05-08
A BURGLARS BLUNDER.

"Oh, Martha! l am so afraid! SUP
pose [ meet somebody! Suppose
should be robbed in the dark"
Nonsense, Miss Elsie! The roads a
safe by night as tbs by day! Why, ii
but s o'clock; and. as for the distancs
faint no more than half mile"
1t was a still night. though it was wiz
ter. It was so dark that passer by ha
come to a standstill upon the we
gresnswsrd bordering the road. intend
ing to ask his way; and it was during
the short pause he made, while he mo
mentsrily hesitated whether he shoult
90 up to the house close at hand ant
make inquiries or trust to his own recol
lection of the spot, that he overheard
the short dialogue with which our story
opens.
Poor young lady! 1 will not in,
crease her fear!' So thought the gooC
natured young fellow who, uEintentlon.
ally caught the words exchanged be-
tween Miss Elsie and Martha. And
thus he walked leisurely, so as not to
oyertake the flying footsteps of Elsie
and he had reached half way toward
Moreham, when he became aware of q
movement ahead of him, and tie next
saw the glimmer of a lantern which
somebody must be carrying. Then
came a voice, but not before Arthur
Bayford (such was our young mans
name) had distinguished by that mo-
mentary CLEAN of light the shrinking
form of a girl by the roadside.
1t was at this point that a man g voice
-hoarse, disagreeable, asst fearful of be-
ing Overheard-said cautiously:
80 you've come, Betty? [ had to
light a lantern a minute to make sure !;
my old eyes get binder every day.
Hush! IT'S tonight girl yon re to take
the tools, dye hear?-to-night afore IL
o'clock. GO behind the big barn at
Pine Grove and Jim and his pals will be
there. Here's the tools. be off,
Next there was stumbling sound as
ofsome onestealing off-some one who
could not walk freely and with ease;
then silence.
Arthur, straining his ears to catch
every sound, felt very uncomfortat lie.
What he had now overheard appeared
so like dark secret. Surely tie man
who mad enj0ined his cCnfederates TO
take the tools to the big barn at Pine
Grove was a thief and in league with
thieves.
In a moment he had struck match
rom a box he carried with his cigar
Ease, and for a brief second or two his
gaze pierced the darkness around him.
Yes there was the figure of girl not
hree yards away from the spot where
lie stood, but she was so muff ed up in
Ter cloak that it was impossible for him
o determine whether this was Elsie or
he mans accomplice ;but at her feet lay
small rush basket. Were 1.-The Tools
within it?
who are your" said he, grasping the
Iasket as his frail light expired and LETT
he envelop1Lg gloom blacker than ever.
But all was silent save for a soft cry
which smote his ear for an instant.
The young man felt sure that that cry
anne from the musical though terrified |
oIce of her whom he heard addressed |
S miss Elsie"
Don't be alarmed, cried he. "Haye
gu been frightened? Can l be of any |
se in escorting you to the town? My |
anne is Arthur Bayford, and l am the |
rchitect who is erecting the new build |
ngs on Mr.. Hart0n's estate"
Il was going into Moreham, !" said she. |
A servant of my father has slipped |
own short fight of stairs, and could |
ot let her go through the night without
ledical advice, and my father is from
ONE and our other servant is elderly
nd lame: what could do but volunteer
go to Moreham myself?
81 understand" rejoined he. Twill
GU permit me to be of any service? Al
w me to accompany you to the house
{ the medical man."
"Oh, thank you! Thank you most
ncerely!" cried Elsie, immeasureably
elieved by his words and his tone Of
oice.
The walk into Moreham appeared
lort to both. Then while she rested in
lie doctors study Arthur carried the
lspicious basket of tools to the police
alton and gave information concerning
le' projected meeting behind the big
am at Pine Grove. And in another
alf hour Elsie and her hitherto I'M
lown companion were retracing their
cps, Elsie'S heart beating faster than
'ual-A Arthur in noWise dispIeaSed at
JUS having to traverse his path 8 second
me.
On the way back the young people
emed to learn a good deal OF each
her. and they were alike regretful
at the walk was at an end, when once
ore Elsie stood at her fathers gate.
1t was all that she could do to conceal I
II agitation and pleasure when Mr.. i
ayford accompanied her father back {
luncheon one day the week following. ,
The midday repast was prolonged by ,
easant chat, and Arthur was very
ady to accept Mr.. Msynard's cordial
vitati0n to come again" But as the |
Us slipped by Elsie's father began 10 =
greet his offer of hospitality. For his J
Ring child ELSIE was his only daugh- q
, was evidently unhappy when, a 5
onth later, Arthur Bayford left the 3
ighborhood.
One winter afternoon, as she fingered 3
her fathers little garden. footstep y
unded on the gravel walk, and he who 8
W filled her whole thoughts stood be-
,e her. Why did he seize her hands.
lding them fast in his, it he cared
thing for her? Elsies own heart be-
4 to beat rapturously, tumultuously.
Come into the wood with me, Elsie" ii
ljSncrlA hpss.I hova Snmofhipp -, faU n.